Rode to the Cycle Show yesterday

[mr_cellophane]

First time in a year since I have cycled into London during the week.  What a nightmare !

Vans passing within inches, taxis cutting me up and the icing on the cake, in slow moving traffic on the A12 between Aldborough Road and Hanault Road (about here) arm outstretch ready to move to the centre of the road so that I could filter up the centre of stationary traffic ready to turn right.  Some old dear accelerates past me then has to break hard to avoid ploughing into the car in front.

One taxi cut me up at a set of lights in Piccadilly.  His excuse was that they were amber and he wanted to get in front on me.  I tried to tell him that amber means stop 

 

[Klaus]

Hi there,
I took the tube from Uxbridge to Earls Court (parked the car at work - but had the day off).
Spent about three hours at the show then had enough - so round the corner to get one of Boris's bikes, first time ever. Took a while getting used to ... though had a test ride at the show so not totally new to the bike.
Takes a while getting used to. Cycled from Earls Court to Victoria Station to Hyde Park Corner, about four miles I reckon. I agree with you, traffic absolutely murder, but I was more frightened by the cyclists, basically coming from all directions, no indicating, no observation (was in right filter, got overtaken on the right and fellow going straight on....).
Anyway, was surprised how flat it is in London and the bike is quite nippy, but need to get used to the gears. All in all a good experience. Only drawback I exceeded the 30 minutes so I will be charged extra.
Well worth trying out!

 

[clarion]

We rode up to the show & back yesterday - 40km. Not too bad, I thought, especially as my partner had planned a cunning route from Wandsworth Bridge to Earls Court which was really quiet. Sunshine, bikes and good company - perfect.

 

[Biscuit]

Cycled to the train station, train to Liv St, cycled to Earls Court, Tfl route off the web via southwark and lambeth bridge. Rode back again.
I thought it was alright. My expectation of cycling in London was much worse than it actually was, maybe I was lucky? Haven't ridden there for a long time.

Two things though.

a) Saw loads of cyclists with no regard for the rules of the road, re, crossings, traffic lights, riding on pavements etc, really bad press. If I was a car driver / pedestrian..I'd be pissed off too.

b) Blew my nose when I got home.. Fu*k me. Only rode 12 miles but the soot ! Next time i'll take a buff as a filter.